Oh boy, Screen Free Week begins tomorrow and this is going to be challenging – not for the girls but for me. Our school is participating and L took the pledge to turn off our TV, put away the iPad and only use the computer for homework assignments or work purposes for 7 DAYS. This comes at the perfect time to get us back on track and reduce screen time. Winter can be difficult and less motivating to play outside and unfortunately the iPad is the perfect distraction so I can get things done after school; like prepare dinner.
We’ve never let the girls have much TV time and the only channel they are allowed to watch is Disney Jr or PBS. We just cancelled Netflix because it was too difficult to manage what they were watching. One minute I think they’re playing a game and then realize it’s actually a movie or show on Netflix. Plus they were so obsessed, it was getting out of control.
When you realize the statistics of how much screen time young children have, it’s mind boggling considering the risks involved.
- Forty percent of 3-month-old infants are regular viewers of screen media and 19% of babies 1 year and under have a TV in their bedroom
- Screen time can be habit-forming: the more time children engage with screens, the harder time they have turning them off as older children.
- Screen time for children under 3 is linked to irregular sleep patterns and delayed language acquisition.
- The more time preschool children and babies spend with screens, the less time they spend interacting with their parents.Even when parents co-view, they spend less time talking to their children than when they’re engaged in other activities.
- Toddler screen time is also associated with problems in later childhood, including lower math and school achievement, reduced physical activity, victimization by classmates and increased BMI.
- Direct exposure to TV and overall household viewing are associated with increased early childhood aggression.
- The more time preschool children spend with screens, the less time they spend engaged in creative play – the foundation of learning,12 constructive problem solving and creativity.
- On average, preschool children see nearly 25,000 television commercials, a figure that does not include product placement.
Did you know? On average, preschool children spend 32 hours a week with screen media. Wow, that’s really unfortunate.
I’m excited to participate in Screen Week and going back to the basics (what we did growing up) like playing outside, listening to the radio, having a dance party, reading a book, building a fort, playing tag and helping out with cleaning the house. It all seems so simple, however I have a feeling this will be somewhat problematic for me. Does after bedtime count??
Want to host Screen Free Week? Here is an organizer’s kit to get you started.
Take the Scree Free Week PLEDGE here and turn off those screens!
